100 Year-Old Nutrition Professor: 7 Keys to A Long Life | Dr. John Scharffenberg
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Published 2023-06-10
Born in Shanghai, China Dec. 15, 1923, spent his first 16 years of life in China.
Graduated from high school in Michigan in 1940 (president of my class), took premed in Takoma Park,
MD, then the U.S. Army put me through medical school at Loma Linda University, Ca. Graduated in 1947which in those days was called the class of 1948. Got master's in public health from Harvard University 1956 (was elected by the faculty to the Delta Omega Society).
Served two more years in the army to pay for their putting me through medical school, the first year in Fort Ord, CA, the 2nd years asAmerican Military Advisor to the Chinese military in Taiwan.
Taught in Loma Linda University as a professor of nutrition for 62 years.
Worked in San Bernardino County Health Dept. where I became head of the department.
Was director of the International Nutrition Research Foundation in Riverside, CA.
Was on the secretariat of the Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense located at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
Was Assistant Director of the Department of Health of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Started the Public Health Education Center in Bakersfield, CA from funds due to the selling of the San Joaquin Hospital for 30 million dollars.
Michelle Cen's Website:
www.michellecen.com/
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PAPERS CITED:
Time-restricted feeding study shows promise in helping people shed body fat
www.uab.edu/news/health/item/7869-time-restricted-…
Cochrane director’s expulsion results in four board members resigning
www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k3945
Statins may increase diabetes, but benefit still outweighs risk
www.ccjm.org/content/90/1/53
High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Cause-Specific Mortality in Individuals Without Previous Cardiovascular Conditions: The CANHEART Study
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27810046/
Dr. John Ochsner, King of Hearts film on PBS:
www.pbs.org/video/dr-john-ochsner-king-of-hearts-p…
0:00 Meet Dr. Scharffenberg
3:50 What should people eat?
6:11 The 7 keys to a long life
8:51 Statins
11:32 Controversy in nutrition
18:16 Intermittent fasting
24:20 Adventist vegetarian life expectancy
34:47 Too much exercise?
45:52 Optimism
54:53 Chris interview
55:51 Junk food addiction
58:56 We knew in the 70s
1:01:00 Raising kids vegetarian
1:06:16 What the doctor eats
1:09:36 John's extraordinary life
All Comments (21)
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What a joy it was to interview Dr. Scharffenberg! Who else loves his laughter and smiles? 🤩
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My dad is almost 94. Takes no medication. He became vegetarian in his 60's. Walks every day, took up guitar in his 70s.. sings and still travels with his lady friends. Never smoked or drank. 🎉 celebrate life every day. Every morning is a gift from God. ❤
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I was able to work with Dr Scharffenburg about 20yrs ago when I was a young doctor and we did a few community health seminars together. I was just thinking about him and wondering if he was still alive. It's SO good to see him still doing what he loves best. Thank you for sharing; you have made my day!
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1. No Tobacco 2. No Alcohol 3. No Inactivity 4. No Overweight 5. Too Much Meat and Sugar is Bad (6. High Blood Pressure) (7. High Cholesterol)
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Man’s sharp as hell for 100. True inspiration.
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He keeps saying "it's exciting!" I guess that's one reason why he lives long: curiosity, life long learning, eager to solve problems and help others .. RESPECT and Admiration!
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He presents as limber; bright-eyed; is well-read; cognitively alert; hears well; communicates clearly; has critical thinking; cites medical journals & biblical wisdom; appropriately engaged socially & when he ways: "we need to have doctors properly educated in nutrition", gives wonderful insight & appears comfortably bilingual (in Chinese!) & his giggle is delightful! ❤ Wow!
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If you can laugh and giggle, put coherent sentences together at 99 ...what else can one wish for ? What a splendid human being ❤
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As a cardiac surgeon, in his early thirties. I have to admit, he’s in far better shape than many of my patients in their 50s. Bless his soul.
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The man is 100 years old and is having a conversation for an hour sitting on a wooden bench and spreading his knowledge and experience as well, amazing! Also, his demeanour is brilliant, always smiling, curious and very down to earth. Thank you
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I saw this by accident. I can’t express how lucky I am to listen to this amazing man. The young girl who interviewed did a wonderful job. Learnt a lot about how to live a healthy life. Thank you so much Doctor. Bless you.
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He’s so sharp and quick witted. God bless him.
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Summary of advice given by Dr. John Scharffenberg: 1. Eat at the proper time, avoid snacking, and consume a variety of natural, non-processed foods in quantities for ideal weight. 2. Follow a vegetarian or lacto ovo vegetarian diet, emphasizing a variety of plant-based foods. 3. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. 4. Engage in regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight. 5. Be cautious of excessive meat and sugar intake. 6. Control high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. 7. Prioritize lifestyle changes over medication, especially for cardiovascular health. Other interesting facts shared in the video: 1. Dr. Scharffenberg is a 99-year-old Adventist vegetarian. 2. Studies have shown an association between increased meat intake, particularly beef, and higher risk of lymph gland cancer. 3. Avoiding seven lifestyle risk factors can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes: tobacco, alcohol, inactivity, overweight, excessive meat consumption, excessive sugar consumption, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. 4. Cholesterol level alone is not a reliable indicator of heart health, and lifestyle factors have a significant impact on cardiovascular disease risk. 5. Controversies exist in the field of nutrition, including conflicts of interest and lack of nutrition education for doctors. Informational sources and authors mentioned: 1. Dr. Alan Cunningham - Author of books on longevity and the association between meat intake and lymph gland cancer. 2. True North Health Center - A health center known for medically supervised water fasting. 3. Cochrane Database - A group of top specialists in different subjects, known as the gold standard for evaluating research. 4. Ellen White - A figure believed to be a prophet in the Seventh Day Adventist tradition, who advocated for two meals a day.
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It’ll not just the diet… Look at his mental framework, he’s the ultimate optimist! Also: he does only 2 meals per day and undergoes a long period of fasting; his mantra “when hungry, drink a glass of water “. He kept himself physically and mental active. He uses food to support his whole being and therefore he needs small portions of very nutritious foods. Look how frugal his food stack was; he has massive respect and appreciation for food. It’s the combination of all these dimensions that got him to 100 years. Not just one thing… ❤
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This interview was a privilege and honor to listen to a man who truly has the education, span of experience over a span of time. That’s a amazing interview. Love his laughter!
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Hard to believe he's 100. By observing him, how well-put he is mentally, and how energetic he is, you'd think he was maybe 80.
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He is a rare person who is healthy in mind, body and spiritually. Happy, charitable and a blessing to mankind. Cheers.
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Wow that is the youngest 100 year I’ve ever seen…. Just amazing! ❤❤❤
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Credit due to the very respectful, dignified, and informed interviewer!
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I can't believe how sharp he still is at his age! He kept whipping out statistics. His memory is better than most people decades younger
